McCartneys face another week apart

Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Heather look likely to spend a second week apart, with fresh rumours emerging of a problem in their marriage.

The couple had agreed to meet in London for 'crisis talks' but, according to friends, 37-year-old Heather pulled out in order to stay at home with her sister in East Sussex.

Sir Paul, who originally told friends he was planning a trip to New York to see lawyers, is thought to have changed his mind in the hope that he and his wife can sort out their differences.

But with the former model resting in Hove, where she is recovering from a revision amputation on the leg she lost in an accident 13 years ago, and 63-year-old Sir Paul keeping a low profile in London, a second week apart seems the most likely outcome.

A friend of the couple said: 'So much has been made of Paul and Heather's latest bust-up, but the truth is, just like any couple, they argue - they are both fiery, passionate people.

'This latest run-in is slightly more serious than previous ones, however, simply because they haven't been able to physically meet up to try to put things right.

'But with Heather on crutches, still recovering from her revision amputation, she doesn't want to give paparazzi a field day with a snap of their reunion.

'Instead they are having to rely on phone calls and the odd text message. It is not an ideal situation.

'Paul is desperately keen to see Heather, to give her a massive hug, and to talk things over but she is insisting that she needs time to recover away from the Press - even if this means away from Paul too.

'Crisis talks were his idea but Heather's number one priority right now is her health. She believes that they can talk any time and really don't need any urgent meetings.'

After spending Friday night in his mansion in St John's Wood, North London, Sir Paul flew by helicopter to Lydd airport in Kent on Saturday,

where he had been due to catch a private jet to New York.

Having changed his mind, he is thought to have spent the afternoon with friends, before returning to the St John's Wood house.

According to claims in a Sunday newspaper last weekend, Sir Paul and his wife are on the verge of separating.

The News of the World said the couple, whose fourth wedding anniversary is next month, had spent five consecutive nights apart despite being less than 30 miles away from each other in East Sussex - Sir Paul has a farmhouse in Peasmarsh.

Heather laughed off the reports and claimed that the couple were prepared to take legal action over the story.

'We have only just got back together from Los Angeles, where Paul was recording and I had my operation,' she said.

'We haven't been apart until these last couple of days, when I have had to hide [from the Press].

'Of course we are together. It is hilarious. I can't wait to sue because I will make a fortune for my charity.'

But only last week Sir Paul flew to the South of France, leaving his wife alone once again. The couple's twoyearold daughter, Beatrice, is also thought to be with her mother.